Myself, i am not in the automotive industry, actually in the cleantech space. I just happen to be fortunate enough to know a few people through nothing more than day to day business dealings. Recently i acquired a direct connection to Virgin F1 heads at the highest level also, they are well across the Brawn/Schumacher/Mercedes issue.
One of my other associates is well connected within Ferrari, confirmed both Kimi's move to Ferrari, the "bad blood" within the team between Luca, Todt and Michael, and Alonso's signed contract/s (there were two) well before the media reported on it.
I have heard now from both of my contacts that Michaels deal is done, the only question is length of contract apparently. Heard the same info from two different sources who actually don't know each other. So unless they both have the same source (unlikely i think) then i thought this was good enough to present on the forum.
I will actually be in London during the Virgin F1 launch on the 15th, and actually right now sitting in Singapore airport lounge waiting for a flight to Heathrow and onto Geneva where i will be staying with a senior FOM figure and F1 shareholder for 4 days. I wont release her name but there aren't that many female shareholders of F1.
I hope that provides a bit of clarity for you while still preserving the identity of my sources.
I released the info on Schumi that i have to see if others who have contacts can support it. As a tifoso i am very conflicted with Michael racing for Merc, he has brought me so much joy over the years and i think he is about to bring me so much pain also. Although less so, once a Ferrari driver, always a Ferrari driver, but this move to Merc is really a hard pill to swallow. I wish him well, but i still wish Ferrari to win the titles, with Michael close behind.
Anyhow, have a great day. About to board a flight.
Wonderfull! Thank you!
I hope you didn't too upset about that. It really isn't suspicion of bad intent. It's just so hard to trust anything someone says nowadays. And your reasons for posting is perfectly valid and, in your position, I'd have done exactly the same.
Your business sounds an interesting one if you manage to build up that amount and quality of contacts. I'm jeolous!
Unlike you, however, I DO hope the rumours are very very true. I'd love for MS to drive a merc. I think I might just get stupidly druk of excitement if it's confirmed. Rosberg is ok, but he has yet to prove himself. And Heidfeld is fast, but again, needs to prove himself. So I'll be right chuffed if they can lure MS. It'll be a nice "**** You" to McLaren, whom I thankfully don't have to like anymore. Happy day!
Anywho, thanks for the info. All of it. I hope you have a safe flight.
Cheers